EMCH Foundation readies for Fall Affair

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
09/18/2012 10:44:21 AM MDT

Updated:
09/21/2012 12:07:29 PM MDT

Dr. Thomas and Joy Bryant attended last year s inaugural East Morgan County Hospital Foundation s Fall Affair as Scarlett O Hara and Rhett Butler. This year s Fall Affaircenters around A Night in New Orleans and will be held October 20. (Iva Kay Horner/News-Tribune)

Those attending this year's East Morgan County Hospital Foundation (EMCH) fundraiser will be transported to "The Big Easy" for "A Night in New Orleans".Scheduled for Saturday, October 20, the second annual EMCH Foundation Fall Affair begins at 5 p.m. at the Mark Arndt Event Center, Brush, with a cocktail hour (cash bar) and Cajun boil appetizers of Naw'lins Nibbles, according to co-organizer Wendy Danielson. A dinner of Blackened Steak and Pecan Crusted Chicken or Ratatouille in a bread bowl, prepared by Chef Pete Sisneros of EMCH, will be served by Morgan Community College's HOSA organization beginning at 6:30 p.m.Dessert and nightcaps of Sweet tea, Hurricanes, Mint Juleps and Bloody Marys are the featured libations of the evening.

Doug Kershaw, aka The Ragin Cajun will perform in concert as part of EMCH Foundation s Second Annual Fall Affair on October 20. The concert begins at 8 p.m. with tickets available to the concert-only at $25 per person. (Courtesy photo)

"Those attending are encouraged to dress up using New Orleans as their inspiration," Danielson said, adding that possible ideas include a Southern Belle and her gentleman, Mardi Gras, voodoo, masquerade, swampy, or purple, gold and greens. "Or use it as an excuse to 'glitz it up,'" she commented.Joining the foundation for some Bourbon Street fun will be two caricature artists, palm and tarot card readers, as well as Dixie Street, featuring Ron Pflug of Fort Morgan and a seven piece band that will entertain during the dinner portion of the night.

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A silent auction also is on the agenda and chances will be available for several prizes including tickets to the October 28 football game between the Broncos and Saints, donated by Don and Gilda Specht, two wicker patio sets donated by Walmart, a recliner from Furniture Mart and a tailgate party for 12 sponsored by Peter Sisneros and Ashley Martin of Arrowhead Custom Catering.According to Danielson, hand-painted masks will be featured at the auction, as well as for sale, and a table of wrapped mystery gifts, with a minimum value of $20, is a new addition to this year's event.A portion of the evening's proceeds are designated towards educational advancement.At approximately 7:45 p.m., Danielson explained attendees will move into the back room of the Event Center for a concert by the "Ragin' Cajun" Doug Kershaw, who has lived in Weld County since 1986.Kershaw, who is "considered by most to be the king of players", is self-taught and has mastered more than 20 instruments according to his website. While he does not read or write music, the performer has recorded 410 songs, including "Diggy, Diggy Lo", "Cajun Joe" "Rita With the Black Shoes On" and "Louisiana Man", just to name a few.He has been a member of the Grand Ole' Opry for 20 years, has performed at the White House, was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame and was the first inductee to the Cajun Zydeco Hall of Fame in Louisiana.As a resident of Weld County, Kershaw has worked with the Greeley Stampede, performed at concerts, hosted golf tournaments and assisted in raising money for local charities.Sponsored by FMS Bank and Leprino Foods, the concert begins at 8 p.m. with the public invited to purchase tickets for the concert-only for $25. Doors for the concert will open at 7:30 p.m."It will be a high energy night," the co-organizer remarked. "We'll go from the swamp to bourbon street and capture all the different inspirations of New Orleans.Seating for the fundraiser is limited with Danielson requesting reservations be made by October 5. Tickets for the entire night's festivities are $50 per person with $30 of that being tax deductible.For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Danielson at 842-4899.